Shortening based Frosting

My daughter is having a birthday party on Sunday and I plan to use my grandfather's frosting recipe. He used to be a baker and I remember him making cakes and frosting from scratch for family members. His recipe is pretty simple: about 1/2 lb shortening to 1 lb confectioner's sugar with a hint of vanilla. He did mention sometimes you need to add a little of this or that to get it just right, and it just takes practice to get the feel for it. His frosting has never been "oily" like I've heard a lot of people say about this type of frosting, and I want to get it just right like his. My problem is this: my dad bought the ingredients for me and the shortening he got is cut with lard. Lard is listed as the first ingredient. I am afraid that this might affect the taste and consistency in some way and am wondering if I should get 100% vegetable based shortening. My grandpa swears by Crisco. What are your opinions or advice for me?

There are many shortening based frosting out there. Flipflopgirl has it right:

Your shortening based BC's will be a little loose, just add more 10X and a pinch of salt (or sub some for "real" stick butter) and it should work out A-OK.

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Just make sure you mix the two together until its very creamy and slowely add your sifted sugar (and or color and flavors). Make sure you take your spatula and wipe the sides down of your bowl to have all your ingredients well incorporated.

I would go half butter and half crisco.

There are many that make it like this. If ever you want to try a different type of buttercream, let us know, lots of great techniques out there involving cooking your sugar ......just a thought.

Thanks! This year I'm doing something much simpler. A small cake just for my daughter and cupcakes for everyone else.

I made a cake last year. It was an awesome castle cake and I was so proud of myself!

I attempted the same frosting recipe last year. It turned out alright, but was a bit oily and slightly grainy. I dunno if it was because I didn't beat it long enough or if I just didn't get something quite right. Everyone loved the cake and enjoyed eating it too

Sorry I've been too busy to post! My grandpa and I worked on it together this time and it was very tasty. Not sure I got any good pics of the cake this time, but will try and post some in the next few days